Urban regeneration expert to lead Northern Gateway

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Urban regeneration and development expert Jackie Sadek has been appointed Chair of the Northern Gateway Development Zone.

The Zone was launched at MIPIM UK a year ago by Housing Minister Brandon Lewis and Northern Powerhouse Minister Baroness Williams. It brings together two Local Enterprise Partnerships (Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, Cheshire and Warrington) and seven local councils, with the explicit mission of breaking down the barriers to business growth and enterprise, supercharged by the stimulus of High Speed 2 investment.

Since then the Northern Gateway has gained further significant backing from Government at the highest levels. With HS2 connectivity, astride the M6, and focused around the key urban growth pillars of Crewe, Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford, it fuses the powerhouses of the north and the midlands.

As Chief Executive of UK Regeneration and specialist regeneration advisor to Government, Jackie has a long and highly respected career in international regeneration and development, including: the London Docklands Development Corporation, Tesco, CBRE, Kent Thameside, Park Royal Partnership and the British Urban Regeneration Association, and most recently advising the central government at the very highest levels.

Jackie said the Northern Gateway is in the perfect place to become the UK’s premier growth hotspot.

“We are opening up a new and rich vein of opportunity for business right at the heart of the national transport network. It is perfectly positioned at the heart of the UK economy. It really is ‘the place where the UK connects’.

“One year on since its launch the project is no longer just a vision – it is a fact. The partnership is ensuring the area is HS2 ready and is building a solid and substantial regional Growth Strategy, ensuring the benefits of growth – industrial, commercial, housing, retail and leisure – are maximised across administrative, political and regional boundaries.

“This is truly innovative – responding directly to the Prime Minister’s call for more coherent and inclusive industrial strategy which delivers for all – not just the few.

“Now the Zone moves from planning and intention to delivery and action. This is a very serious proposition and I will ensure that the project delivers. The full fusion potential of the Zone is on the verge of being realised – with an explosion of growth, jobs and prosperity right at the very hub of the nation,” she said.

Gavin Barwell MP, Minister for Housing and Planning, said: “I’m pleased that the Northern Gateway partnership has chosen Jackie Sadek as their independent chair. Her energy and focus on delivery will help to ensure their ambitions to deliver 100,000 new homes and 120,000 new jobs become reality.”

David Frost CBE DL, Chair of the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP, said Jackie was just the woman for the job.

“Jackie has taken a very close interest in the development of this boundary breaking initiative, recognising its potential from its very earliest days. We are delighted that she has

decided to focus her time and energies on bringing all the different strands together, delivering maximum pulling power for this engine of industry,” he said.

Christine Gaskell MBE DL, Chair of Cheshire and Warrington LEP, said: “HS2 will be transformational for our economy and by working in partnership across boundaries and borders, our approach will ensure that we deliver the maximum economic benefit across our areas on a nationally significant scale. Jackie’s appointment will be a real boost for the NDGZ as we work to develop an ambitious, innovation and ground-breaking vision and masterplan for the area that will harness the potential of this once-in-a-life investment.”